We Have Inside Information

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9)

Ephesians 3:1-13 actually reads like an unplanned detour. He was headed somewhere else entirely in chapter two, and you can see where he picks back up in Ephesians 3:14. However, here he pulls back the curtain on something that had been hidden for ages.

In Ephesians 3:3-4, Paul uses the word "mystery" to describe our salvation. He says, "how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),"

That word "mystery" in the New Testament does not mean the same thing it does today. A mystery today is almost something unexplainable. It is almost something with no real answer, something that often remains unresolved. But that is not what Paul means at all. In the New Testament, a mystery is a secret. It is something God knew from the beginning of time, but He kept it concealed. And at the right moment, He began to pull back the curtain to reveal it. There is an answer. There always was. God knew it. Paul knew it. And now the Holy Spirit is sharing it with us. It is "inside information".

What was this mystery? It's what Paul talked about back in Ephesians 2, that Gentiles have just as much opportunity to give their lives to Christ as Jews do. The gospel is for everybody. This would have shocked the first-century Jew. It even shook other Christian leaders. In Galatians 2, Paul had to oppose Peter and Barnabas because they compromised with the Judaizers who were excluding Gentiles from their fellowship. In Acts 15, the Jerusalem council of Christian leaders came together to declare that Jesus Christ brings salvation to Jews and Gentiles alike. Jesus can save anybody.

Notice how far this mystery reached. Ephesians 3:9-10 says, "and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,"

In verse 10, Paul says the manifold wisdom of God is now made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. Even angelic beings and demons didn't fully understand God's plan of salvation. 1 Corinthians 2:8 says that if the rulers of this age had known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Jesus was crucified by opponents who didn't fully realize what was happening.

Many of you have read The Count of Monte Cristo or seen the movie. Edmund Dantès is mistreated and locked away in prison. There's an old, wise man in prison with him who keeps talking about hidden riches, and everyone thinks he's lost his mind. But he befriends Edmund and teaches him. On his deathbed, he says, "Here is the location of the treasure." Everyone thought the treasure was just the ramblings of a lunatic. When Edmund finally breaks free, he searches, finds the spot, breaks the lock, and there it is. Bars of gold. Diamonds. Pearls. Treasure enough for five kings.

The nonbeliever doesn't understand the riches found in Christ Jesus. They look at the news and see one perspective. They hear from their friends and neighbors, and they're convinced the world is falling apart. But the child of God who has read his Bible knows what's really going on. Christians know about spiritual warfare and know there's a real enemy behind what is seen in the news. However, Christians also know the real riches they have in Christ. 2 Corinthians 8:9 says, "though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."

Christians have "inside information". We've read to the end of the Book. We know who ultimately wins. We know we're on the winning team and that Jesus Christ will prevail. That's why, in the middle of all the negativity in this world, we can be positive. The treasure is real, and we know exactly where it is. It is in Christ Jesus! Hallelujah!

Reflection: Are you living like someone who knows the "mystery" of your salvation, or like someone who only sees the bad news of this world?

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have not hidden Your plan from me but revealed it in Your Word. Help me remember the riches I have in Christ when the world around me seems so negative and dark. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from: "Staying Positive in a Negative World": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/d6xvd3t/11-staying-positive-in-a-negative-world-eph-3-1-13